7th Blue Star (1951)
Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan (currently Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc.), in cooperation with the Michigan State Highway Department, dedicated a Blue Star Memorial Highway on Highway 2, approaching St. Ignace, in the fall of 1951.
In 1951, this stretch of the highway was part of Michigan’s Blue Star Memorial Highway (per Act 71 of 1952). Act 71 was repealed and Act 142 became effective October 26, 2001. Act 142 terminated Michigan’s Blue Star Memorial Highway at the county line of Emmet and Cheboygan counties.
Also in 1951, the scope of the tribute on Highway markers (which originally paid tribute to WW II veterans) was expanded to honor the “Armed Forces that have defended the United States of America.” This was the first Michigan marker dedicated with the expanded scope.
The St. Ignace marker was initially installed on the north side of the Mackinac Bridge, approaching the city of St. Ignace. It was located in the center of the divided highway, then called Highway 2. This photo depicts the marker at its original location.
When the highway north of the Mackinac Bridge became Interstate 75, the marker was moved to the Michigan Welcome Center in Moran Township, 49781. To visit the Welcome Center, take the first exit after the bridge when traveling north. The marker can be found on the south side of the parking lot. This photo displays the marker at its current location. The photo was taken in 2023.
Pin: 45.850326241022366, -84.72199156074048